Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Pennies for Patients fundraiser ended last Friday. Though we fell shy of our goal as a class ($182 raised; goal was $300) and school ($5,435 raised; goal was $6,000), all of the collected donations will benefit children suffering from lymphoma and leukemia as well as those researching and treating the diseases. Thank you so much for your contributions to a worthy cause!

Monday, January 30, 2017

Pennies for Patients fundraiser ended last Friday. Though we fell shy of our goal as a class ($182 raised; goal was $300) and school ($5,435 raised; goal was $6,000), all of the collected donations will benefit children suffering from lymphoma and leukemia as well as those researching and treating the diseases. Thank you so much for your contributions to a worthy cause!

First, we were not able to do a new math lesson today due to today's activities. We will start on Topic 12, Lesson 2 on Monday with a 12-2 quiz on Tuesday.

Second, NO homework this weekend, except read and prepare for Monday's Time for Kids quiz.

Lastly, a student recommended I watch Just Add Magic, an Amazon Prime original series for kids. This spun off on a conversation with some students on their favorite bakery items.

A few of them were interested in the places I go for baked goods so I share them here with you.
It's not a complete list but a selection of places I frequent because I think they're good. (I've linked their business or Yelp! pages. Just click and explore!)

Icing on the Cake - A must visit for the sweet tooth. This Los Gatos bakery just makes you drool once you walk through the doorway. Warning: you may walk out with a box when you just wanted a small bag. My favorites are their banana cake, specialty cake slices, and cookies.

SAN FRANCISCO / OTHER BAY AREA LOCATIONS

(San Francisco) Tartine Bakery - World famous. 'Nuff said. Morning buns and bread are really in a class of their own.

(Oakland) La Farine - Tartine gets really busy but Farine has been a long time favorite of mine since my parents started buying their bread when I was in college. Their baguette with a pad of butter is a enough for me, thank you.

(Multiple) Starbread Bakery - Growing up in a Filipino household, I was always surrounded with tasty carbs. And this place pumps out the delicious señorita bread: small fingers of bread folded with butter and sugar, served piping hot. This is the bakery version of Pringles: once you pop one in your mouth, you can't stop. You have been warned. I usually go to the South SF location: warm bread + cool climate = win, win.

OUTSIDE BAY AREA

(Monterey) Paris Bakery - Love this place. Their croissants are buttery and flaky. But they are much more than that: desserts (cakes, tarts); baguettes and rolls; cookies; and sandwiches. When you're in the Monterey area, skip the Wharf and head here. It's a local favorite.

(Pacific Grove) Pavel's Backerei - A glazed doughnut the size of your head? A line that usually is out the door? Selling out so quickly you better get there early? Is this some kind of gimmick? No, this bakery is heaven on earth. Their croissants are really good, especially the chocolate one. Their breads are equally delightful. The doughnut? It's okay. But one of the last times I was there, I saw them prepping sandwiches for the beach-bound visitors to buy and take with them. The one I swore I'd go back for had thick slices of apple-smoked bacon, pretty much a whole avocado sliced, lettuce, and tomato slices on a ciabatta roll! (I did end up going back but they had sold out for the day - and it was around 2 pm!)

DOUGHNUT SHOPS (because #1, they deserve their own section and #2, why not?!)

(San Jose) Daybreak Donuts - Seriously. It's near school and has one of the best glazed doughnuts around. Their selection is equally impressive: no frills, just plain morning goodness. (I still remember when it used to be a Winchell's next to the liquor store across the street in the shopping plaza. Apparently, the current owner is related to the previous one.)

(Santa Clara) Stan's Donut Shop - Buttermilk doughnuts for the win. The glazed is the go-to but try the rest. It's denser than you would expect (think: cake doughnut) but people like myself drive all the way to Santa Clara for it.

I'd love to hear about your favorite bakeries and doughnut shops (and what you recommend I try). Please email me with your suggestions or just post them below in the comments. Please note: I try to stay away from the chains.

CONGRATULATIONS to our December San Jose Sharks Reading is Cool winner: AVNEET!

1. Read for 30 min. *January READING LOGS are due by Thursday, 2/2*

2. Language Arts

Wordly Wise - Lesson 18e; Test tomorrow

Time for Kids - Read your magazine. Activity sheet due tomorrow. (It's based on insurance magazine from last week but they don't need their magazine to complete the worksheet. The Bonus activity is worthwhile to do with your child so they can learn more about with what adults have to deal. This section is not graded.)

No quiz on Tuesday. We will do Topic 11, Lesson 4 in class and for homework. Quizzes will now be held the following day. Speaking of which...

The quiz scores are getting a lot better since the very dismal first day. Here are the class averages by quiz: #1 - 58.9%; #2 - 72.1%; and today's, #3 - 91.1%. I hope you feel a little better. I know I do! :)

Thursday, January 12, 2017

WEDNESDAY folders will go out TODAY! Still correcting! Sorry for the delay.

Please remember to dress warmly for the wet, winter weather!

Pennies for Patients fundraiser boxes for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society went home yesterday. It runs until Friday, January 27.

We will be taking short, daily quizzes every day in Math. Scores may be low, but it's partly due to the low number of possible points. The IMPORTANT takeaway here is each student needs to review and understand why their answers were incorrect, so please review the quizzes with them. They can also ask me again in class (I review the quiz the next day with them). Thank you.